Device inventorying method and apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium

WO2024149181A9PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-07-17VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/071029
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-01-10
Filing Date
2024-01-08
Publication Date
2025-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

During the inventory process of backscatter communication equipment, the same device is inventoried multiple times by the same reader or different readers, resulting in a waste of resources.

Method used

By receiving the inventory instruction information in the communication equipment, determining whether to respond to the inventory command, and avoiding responding to the inventory command under any circumstances, the equipment inventory method and device are implemented to ensure that the equipment is only inventoried when necessary.

Benefits of technology

This effectively avoids repeated inventory of equipment, improves inventory efficiency, and reduces resource waste.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and discloses a device inventorying method and apparatus, a communication device, and a readable storage medium. The device inventorying method of the present application comprises: a first communication device receives a first command, the first command being used for instructing to inventory the first communication device, the first command comprising inventorying indication information, and the inventorying indication information being used for indicating related information used when inventorying the first communication device; and according to the inventorying indication information, the first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command.
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Description

Device inventory method, device, communication device and readable storage medium

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310033213.3 filed in China on January 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of wireless communication technology, and specifically relates to a device inventory method, apparatus, communication equipment, and readable storage medium. Background Art

[0004] When counting backscatter communication devices (such as tags), it's possible for the same backscatter communication device to be counted multiple times by the same reader. Furthermore, when the coverage areas of multiple readers overlap, the same backscatter communication device can be counted multiple times by different readers. In both cases, repeated counting of backscatter communication devices can lead to a waste of resources.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a device inventory method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium, which can solve the problem in the related art that the same retroreflective communication device is inventoried multiple times by the same reader or by different readers, resulting in resource waste.

[0007] In a first aspect, a device inventory method is provided, comprising:

[0008] A first communication device receives a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device;

[0009] The first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information.

[0010] In a second aspect, a device inventory method is provided, comprising:

[0011] The second communication device sends a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0012] In a third aspect, a device inventory apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0013] A first receiving module is configured to receive a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on a first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device;

[0014] A determination module is configured to determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, a device inventory apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0016] The first sending module is used to send a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0017] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive a first command, the first command being used to instruct an inventory of a first communication device, the first command comprising inventory indication information, the inventory indication information being used to indicate relevant information used when taking an inventory of the first communication device; the processor being used to determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information.

[0019] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to send a first command, the first command being used to instruct an inventory of the first communication device, the first command comprising inventory indication information, the inventory indication information being used to indicate relevant information used when taking an inventory of the first communication device.

[0020] In an eighth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the second communication device can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0021] In the ninth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0022] In the tenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or to implement the method as described in the second aspect.

[0023] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device can determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information in the received first command for device inventory, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding multiple inventories of the first communication device and improving inventory efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication method between a reader and a tag;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the reader and tag;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of information transmission between a reader and a tag;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the process of receiving and sending data by a tag;

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the process of querying and accessing a single tag;

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of a device inventory method executed by a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a device inventory method executed by a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of the device inventory method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a device inventory device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG10 is a second structural diagram of the equipment inventory device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein, and that the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects. For example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, the term "and / or" in the specification and claims refers to at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the objects connected are in an "or" relationship.

[0039] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the technology described can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and the NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to applications other than NR system applications, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0040] The following first briefly describes the technical content involved in this application.

[0041] 1. Backscatter Communication (BSC)

[0042] Backscatter communication refers to the backscatter communication device using the radio frequency signals from other devices or the environment to perform signal modulation to transmit its own information.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a communication method between a reader and a tag. Two links exist between the reader and the tag: one link from the reader to the tag, and one link from the tag to the reader (the backscatter link). The reader sends commands or power carrier signals (waves) to the tag via the reader-to-tag link. In current solutions, the reader continuously sends power carrier signals to the tag. The tag, in turn, sends backscatter signals via the tag-to-reader link.

[0044] A simple implementation method for a tag to send a backscatter signal is that when a '1' needs to be sent, the tag reflects the incident carrier signal, and when a '0' needs to be sent, the tag does not reflect.

[0045] Please refer to FIG2 , which is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the reader and the tag.

[0046] Backscatter communication equipment controls the circuit's reflection coefficient Γ by adjusting its internal impedance, thereby changing the amplitude, frequency, and / or phase of the incident signal to achieve signal modulation. The signal reflection coefficient Γ can be expressed as:

[0047] Where Z0 is the antenna characteristic impedance, Z1 is the load impedance, θ T is the phase, j represents the imaginary number. Assume that the incident signal is S in (t), the output signal is Therefore, corresponding amplitude modulation, frequency modulation and / or phase modulation can be achieved by properly controlling the reflection coefficient Γ.

[0048] 2. Information transmission between reader and tag in traditional RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

[0049] Please refer to Figure 3, where the reader side includes the following operations:

[0050] a. Selection: The process by which the interrogator selects a tag group for subsequent inventory or performs an encrypted challenge on the tag group for subsequent authentication. Selection includes the select and challenge commands.

[0051] b. Inventory: The process by which the interrogator identifies tags. The interrogator initiates an inventory round by sending a query command in one of four sessions. One or more tags may reply. The interrogator detects a single tag reply and requests the Protocol Control (PC), optional Extended Protocol Control (XPC) word, Electronic Product Code (EPC), and 16-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check-16 (CRC-16) from the tag. An inventory round can only be performed in one session at a time. Inventory consists of multiple commands.

[0052] c. Access: The process by which an interrogator conducts a transaction with a single tag (reading, writing, verifying, or otherwise participating). Before accessing, the interrogator identifies and uniquely identifies the tag. Access includes multiple commands.

[0053] The instructions for reader operation can be found in Table 1 and Table 2:

[0054] Table 1

[0055] Table 2

[0056] The status of the tag is shown in Table 3:

[0057] Table 3

[0058] The current UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID protocol is designed for inventory mode. After the reader sends a query command ("Query"), the tag responds ("Reply") by generating a 16-bit random number and sending it to the reader. The reader then sends this sequence to the tag via an ACK command, and the tag then sends the relevant data to the reader.

[0059] Please refer to FIG4 , which is a schematic diagram of the process of a tag receiving and sending data.

[0060] Please refer to FIG5 , which is a flowchart of querying and accessing a single tag.

[0061] The device inventory method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to some embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Referring to FIG6 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a device inventory method, including:

[0063] Step 61: A first communication device receives a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory instruction information, where the inventory instruction information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first communication device receives a first command sent by the second communication device.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the second communication device may be a reader, a terminal (User Equipment, UE), a base station device, a relay device, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet personal computer, laptop computer or notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device (Wearable Device), vehicle user equipment (VUE), pedestrian user equipment (Pedestrian User Equipment, PUE), smart home (home appliances with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines or furniture, etc.), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM or self-service machine and other terminal side devices, wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0066] Step 62: The first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first communication device may be a backscatter communication device, and the backscatter communication device may include:

[0068] 1) The backscatter communication device in RFID is generally a tag, which belongs to the passive Internet of Things (IoT) device (Passive-IoT);

[0069] 2) Semi-passive tags, which have a certain amplification capability for downlink reception or uplink reflection;

[0070] 3) Active tags: These tags can send information to the reader without relying on reflection of the incident signal.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device can determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information in the received first command for device inventory, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding multiple inventories of the first communication device and improving inventory efficiency.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the inventory indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0073] Purpose of inventory;

[0074] Number of inventory counts;

[0075] Take inventory time.

[0076] The inventory purpose refers to the purpose of inventorying the devices. The inventory purpose may include at least one of the following information: inventory quantity, protocol control (PC), extended protocol control (XPC), and electronic product code (EPC). The inventory quantity, i.e., the purpose of the inventory, is to count the number of devices. Protocol control and extended protocol control mean that the purpose of the inventory is to inventory devices that support protocol control or extended protocol control. The electronic product code means that the purpose of the inventory is to inventory the electronic product code of the first communication device.

[0077] The inventory count number refers to the number of times the first communication device can be inventoried. The inventory count number may be a maximum inventory count number. The first communication device may decrement the inventory count number by one each time it responds to the first command. When the inventory count number reaches 0, the first communication device may refuse to respond to the first command or provide a non-response to the inventory count, such as a NACK (non-acknowledgement) response.

[0078] The inventory time may refer to the maximum inventory time. For example, if the maximum inventory time is 5s, the first communication device is not allowed to be inventoried within the maximum inventory time starting from the receipt of the inventory time (such as 5s starting from the receipt of the inventory time) (this means that it has been inventoried by other devices). If it exceeds the maximum inventory time starting from the receipt of the inventory time, the first communication device is allowed to be inventoried.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the method further includes: the first communication device storing inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is inventory indication information sent through the first command, or inventory indication information agreed upon by a protocol.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, after the first communication device receives the first command, the following steps may be further performed:

[0081] If the first communication device does not store the inventory indication information, storing the inventory indication information in the first command;

[0082] If the first communication device stores inventory indication information, it is determined whether to update the stored inventory indication information.

[0083] In one embodiment, after receiving the first command for the first time, the first communication device may directly store the inventory indication information, for example, directly store the inventory purpose in the inventory indication information.

[0084] In one embodiment, after receiving a first command for the first time, the first communication device stores inventory indication information in the first command, such as the inventory purpose in the inventory indication information. After storing the inventory indication information, the first communication device starts a timer. If the first communication device receives the first command again, it determines whether the timer has timed out. If the timer has timed out, the historically stored inventory indication information is updated with the inventory indication information in the newly received first command. If the timer has not timed out, there is no need to update the historically stored inventory indication information.

[0085] In one embodiment, a first communication device stores inventory indication information agreed upon in a protocol, such as an inventory purpose agreed upon in the protocol. After storing the inventory indication information, the first communication device starts a timer. When the first communication device receives a first command, it determines whether the timer has timed out. If the timer has timed out, the inventory indication information stored in the history is updated using the inventory indication information in the received first command. If the timer has not timed out, there is no need to update the historically stored inventory indication information.

[0086] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes:

[0087] The first communication device compares the inventory indication information with historically stored inventory indication information to obtain a comparison result;

[0088] The first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the comparison result.

[0089] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the inventory indication information includes an inventory purpose; and the first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the comparison result includes:

[0090] If the comparison result indicates that the inventory counting purpose is the same as the stored inventory counting purpose, determining not to provide feedback on the first command or to provide feedback not to respond to the current inventory counting;

[0091] and / or,

[0092] If the comparison result indicates that the inventory purpose is different from the stored inventory purpose, it is determined to respond to the first command.

[0093] For example, different readers may have the same inventory purpose. For example, when two readers (reader1 and reader2) are used to count the number of tags in a warehouse, it is assumed that a tag first receives the first command sent by reader1. The first command includes inventory indication information. The inventory indication information indicates that the inventory purpose is the inventory quantity. The tag stores the inventory purpose. If the tag receives the first command sent by reader2 again, the tag compares the inventory purpose in the first command sent by reader2 with the stored inventory purpose to see if they are the same. If they are the same, it means that the tag has been counted, so it does not need to respond to reader2's inventory.

[0094] In another embodiment, different readers may have different inventory purposes. For example, the inventory purpose of reader 1 is to count the number of tags in the warehouse, and the inventory purpose of reader 2 is to count a certain type of EPC in the warehouse. Assume that a certain tag first receives the first command sent by reader 1, and the first command includes inventory indication information. The inventory indication information indicates that the inventory purpose is the inventory quantity. The tag stores the inventory purpose. If the tag receives the first command sent by reader 2 again, the tag compares the inventory purpose in the first command sent by reader 2 with the stored inventory purpose to see if they are the same. At this time, since the inventory purpose in the first command sent by reader 2 is different from the stored inventory purpose, the tag can respond to reader 2's inventory. In addition, the tag also stores the inventory purpose in the first command sent by reader 2, that is, it can store multiple inventory purposes at the same time.

[0095] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes:

[0096] When the stored number of inventory counts is 0, the first communication device determines not to provide feedback for the first command or to provide feedback that does not respond to the current inventory count.

[0097] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, after the first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information, the step further includes:

[0098] If the first communication device determines to respond to the first command, the stored inventory count count is reduced by one.

[0099] In this embodiment of the present application, the number of inventory counts can be set to the following two situations:

[0100] The first case is: the inventory count number is initially set to 1. After receiving the first command sent by the second communication device, the first communication device reduces the stored inventory count number by one, that is, it becomes 0, and the first communication device no longer responds to the first command of other devices.

[0101] The second case is: the number of inventory counts can be set to any integer greater than or equal to 0, such as 3. This indicates that the first communication device can receive three inventory counts, and the number of counts is reduced by one after each inventory count. When it reaches 0, it stops responding to the first command.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes:

[0103] When the current moment is within the stored inventory time, the first communication device determines not to provide feedback on the first command or to provide feedback that does not respond to the current inventory.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes:

[0105] The first communication device receives a second command, where the second command is used to instruct to reset historically stored inventory indication information;

[0106] The first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to the second command.

[0107] Alternatively, the first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value after a preset time after receiving the first command.

[0108] Alternatively, if the first communication device does not receive the second command within the first time window or fails to decode the second command, the first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value, and the second command is used to instruct the resetting of the historically stored inventory indication information.

[0109] The predefined value may be, for example, a value of the first communication device when it has not been inventoried.

[0110] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes: if the first communication device receives a third command after sending a first response to the first command and before receiving an acknowledgment ACK for the first response, the first communication device enters an inventory silent state, in which the first communication device does not respond to the newly received first command, and the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0111] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the first response to the first command may include information of the first communication device.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present application, the third command may instruct the first communication device to set the time slot (Slot) to a special value, for example, a maximum value of 0xFFFF, to instruct the first communication device to enter the inventory silent state. In an embodiment of the present application, during the inventory process, each first communication device has a slot value and will only respond to the inventory when the slot is a special value (for example, slot = 0). Therefore, by setting the slot to another special value so that it cannot be slot = 0, the first communication device is prevented from entering the inventory process.

[0113] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes: after receiving the confirmation ACK, the first communication device exits the inventory silent state.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 7 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a device inventory method, including:

[0115] Step 71: The second communication device sends a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0116] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, the second communication device may be a reader, a terminal (User Equipment, UE), a base station device, a relay device, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet personal computer, laptop computer or notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) equipment, robot, wearable device (Wearable Device), vehicle-mounted equipment (VUE), pedestrian terminal (PUE), smart home (home appliances with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerators, TVs, washing machines or furniture, etc.), game console, personal computer (personal computer, PC), ATM or self-service machine and other terminal side devices, wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0117] In an embodiment of the present application, the second communication device sends a first command for device inventory, and the first command includes inventory indication information. The first communication device can determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding the first communication device from being inventoried multiple times and improving inventory efficiency.

[0118] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the inventory indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0119] Purpose of inventory;

[0120] Number of inventory counts;

[0121] Take inventory time.

[0122] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes:

[0123] The second communication device receives a first response from the first communication device to the first command.

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, after the second communication device receives the first response of the first communication device to the first command, the method further includes:

[0125] The second communication device sends first interaction information to the third communication device, where the first interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the second communication device, and the third communication device is a device used for inventorying.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes:

[0127] The second communication device receives second interaction information sent by the third communication device, where the second interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the third communication device; the information of the first communication device, for example, includes an identification (ID) of the first communication device, EPC, etc., and the third communication device is a device used for inventory.

[0128] The second communication device compares the information of the first communication device inventoried by the second communication device with the information of the first communication device inventoried by the third communication device;

[0129] If there are duplicate first communication devices in the first communication devices counted by the second communication device and the first communication devices counted by the third communication device, the second communication device deletes the information of the duplicate first communication device; and / or, adds the information of the first communication devices that are different from the first communication devices counted by the third communication device and the first communication devices counted by the second communication device to the information of the first communication devices counted by the second communication device.

[0130] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of the third communication devices may be one or more, that is, the second communication device may exchange the information of the inventoried first communication device with at least one third communication device.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes: the second communication device sending a second command, where the second command is used to instruct the first communication device to reset historically stored inventory indication information.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, optionally, the device inventory method further includes: the second communication device sending a third command, where the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0133] Optionally, the time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0134] In the embodiment of the present application, optionally, after the second communication device sends the third command, the method further includes:

[0135] After receiving the first response to the first command, the second communication device sends a first confirmation to instruct the first communication device to exit the inventory silent state.

[0136] The device inventory method in the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

[0137] Example 1 of the present application:

[0138] In an embodiment of the present application, the second communication device sends a first command to the first communication device for performing an inventory on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information. The first communication device determines whether to respond based on the inventory indication information to avoid repeated inventory.

[0139] The first communication device side avoids repeated inventory: the first communication device side determines whether to respond based on the inventory indication information.

[0140] In one embodiment, referring to FIG8 , reader 1 and reader 2 need to count the number of tags in a warehouse. Reader 1's count area is count area A, and reader 2's count area is count area B. Count area A and count area B overlap, and tag 2 is located in the overlapping area. After receiving the first command sent by reader 1, the tag first compares the count indication information in the currently received first command with the historically stored count indication information to see if they are consistent (e.g., whether the count purpose is consistent, i.e., whether both are for the purpose of counting the number of tags). If they are consistent, indicating that the tags have already been counted, the tag will refuse to respond to the current count. If they are inconsistent, the tag will respond to the current count. For example, tag 2 first receives reader 1's first command. Tag 2 compares the count purpose in the currently received first command with the stored count purpose (if no inventory has been taken, the count purpose is an initial value, e.g., 0) to see if they are consistent. If they are inconsistent, the tag will respond to the inventory, and tag 2 will save the count purpose in the current first command (e.g., if the count purpose is 1, 1 indicates the number of tags to be counted). When tag 2 receives the first command sent by reader 2, tag 2 compares the inventory purpose (inventory purpose is 1) in the currently received first command with the stored inventory purpose (inventory purpose is 1) to see if they are consistent. If the two are consistent, tag 2 refuses to respond to the inventory.

[0141] In one embodiment, the inventory count indication information received by tag 2 includes the inventory count number (for example, the inventory count number is 1). Tag 2 stores the inventory count number. After tag 2 first receives the first command from reader 1 and responds to reader 1's inventory count, the inventory count number is reduced by one (the inventory count number becomes 0). If tag 2 receives the first command from reader 2, it first checks the inventory count number. If the inventory count number is 0, the inventory count is rejected.

[0142] In one embodiment, the inventory indication information received by tag 2 includes the inventory time (for example, the inventory time is 1s). Tag 2 stores the inventory time. After tag 2 first receives the first command from reader 1 and responds to reader 1's inventory, the inventory time begins to decrease. If tag 2 receives the first command from reader 2, it first checks the inventory time. If it is still within the inventory time corresponding to reader 1, it refuses to respond to this inventory.

[0143] In one embodiment, the second communication device may send a second command to the first communication device or reset the inventory indication information after a preset time after receiving the first command.

[0144] Avoiding repeated inventory on the second communication device side: the second communication device inventories the first communication device and exchanges the inventoried first communication device with the third communication device.

[0145] In one embodiment, referring to FIG8 , reader 1 counts tag 1 , and reader 2 counts tag 3 . Reader 1 and reader 2 interact through information, and reader 1 saves the information of tag 3 .

[0146] When Reader 1 begins an inventory count, both Tag 1 and Tag 2 participate in the process. Upon receiving the first command, Tag 1 and Tag 2 send their first responses, which include RN16. Reader 1 then sends a third command to Tag 1 and Tag 2, placing them in a silent inventory state. It also provides feedback to Reader 2 regarding Tag 1 and Tag 2 (though feedback is optional). When Reader 2 needs to count, Tag 2, already in a silent inventory state, receives only Tag 3's first response, which includes RN16. Finally, Reader 1 and Reader 2 send ACKs to all silent tags, completing the count.

[0147] The device inventory method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a device inventory apparatus. In the embodiment of the present application, the device inventory apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the device inventory apparatus executing the device inventory method as an example.

[0148] Please refer to FIG9 , which shows an embodiment of the present application further providing a device inventory device 90 , including:

[0149] A first receiving module 91 is configured to receive a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on a first communication device, and the first command includes inventory instruction information, where the inventory instruction information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device;

[0150] The determination module 92 is configured to determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information.

[0151] In an embodiment of the present application, whether to respond to the first command can be determined based on the inventory indication information in the received first command for device inventory, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding multiple inventories of the first communication device and improving inventory efficiency.

[0152] Optionally, the inventory indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0153] Purpose of inventory;

[0154] Number of inventory counts;

[0155] Take inventory time.

[0156] Optionally, the device inventory device 90 further includes:

[0157] The storage module is configured to store the inventory indication information, or update historically stored inventory indication information according to the inventory indication information.

[0158] Optionally, the determining module 92 is configured to compare the inventory indication information with historically stored inventory indication information to obtain a comparison result; and determine whether to respond to the first command based on the comparison result.

[0159] Optionally, the inventory indication information includes an inventory purpose; the determining module 92 is configured to determine not to provide feedback for the first command or to provide a non-acknowledgement (NACK) if the comparison result indicates that the inventory purpose is the same as a stored inventory purpose;

[0160] and / or,

[0161] The determining module 92 is configured to determine to respond to the first command if the comparison result indicates that the inventory purpose is different from the stored inventory purpose.

[0162] Optionally, the inventory purpose includes at least one of the following: inventory quantity, protocol control PC, extended protocol control XPC and inventory electronic product code EPC.

[0163] Optionally, the determining module 92 is configured to determine, when the stored number of inventory counts is 0, not to provide feedback for the first command or to provide feedback indicating that the first command does not respond to the current inventory count.

[0164] Optionally, the device inventory device 90 further includes:

[0165] The first updating module is configured to reduce the stored inventory count times by one if the first communication device determines to respond to the first command.

[0166] Optionally, the number of inventory counts is agreed upon by a protocol or indicated by the second communication device.

[0167] Optionally, the determining module 92 is configured to determine not to provide feedback on the first command or to provide feedback indicating that the first command does not respond to the current inventory if the current moment is within the stored inventory time.

[0168] Optionally, the inventory time is agreed upon by a protocol or indicated by the second communication device.

[0169] Optionally, the device inventory device 90 further includes:

[0170] a second receiving module, configured to receive a second command, wherein the second command is configured to instruct to reset the historically stored inventory indication information;

[0171] a first resetting module, configured to reset the historically stored inventory indication information according to the second command;

[0172] or

[0173] The second resetting module is configured to reset the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value after a preset time period after receiving the first command.

[0174] Optionally, the device inventory device 90 further includes:

[0175] The third reset module is used to reset the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value if the first communication device does not receive the second command within the first time window or fails to decode the second command, where the second command is used to instruct the resetting of the historically stored inventory indication information.

[0176] Optionally, the device inventory device 90 further includes:

[0177] A state switching module is configured to enter an inventory silent state if the first communication device receives a third command after sending a first response to the first command and before receiving an acknowledgment ACK for the first response. In the inventory silent state, the first communication device does not respond to the newly received first command, and the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter the inventory silent state.

[0178] Optionally, the time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0179] Optionally, the state switching module is further configured to exit the inventory silent state after receiving the confirmation ACK.

[0180] The equipment inventory device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented by the method embodiment of Figure 6 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 10 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a device inventory apparatus 100 , including:

[0182] The first sending module 101 is configured to send a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on a first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0183] In an embodiment of the present application, a first command for device inventory is sent, and the first command includes inventory indication information. The first communication device can determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding the first communication device from being inventoried multiple times and improving inventory efficiency.

[0184] Optionally, the inventory indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0185] Purpose of inventory;

[0186] Number of inventory counts;

[0187] Take inventory time.

[0188] Optionally, the device inventory apparatus 100 further includes:

[0189] The first receiving module is configured to receive a first response from a first communication device to the first command.

[0190] Optionally, the device inventory apparatus 100 further includes:

[0191] The second sending module is configured to send first interaction information to a third communication device, where the first interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the second communication device, and the third communication device is a device for performing inventory.

[0192] Optionally, the device inventory apparatus 100 further includes:

[0193] a second receiving module, configured to receive second interaction information sent by a third communication device, wherein the second interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the third communication device, and the third communication device is a device used for inventorying;

[0194] a comparison module, configured to compare the information of the first communication device inventoried by the second communication device with the information of the first communication device inventoried by the third communication device;

[0195] A processing module is configured to: if there is a duplicate first communication device in the first communication devices counted by the second communication device and the first communication devices counted by the third communication device, the second communication device deletes the information of the duplicate first communication device; and / or, adds the information of the first communication device that is different from the first communication device counted by the third communication device and the first communication device counted by the second communication device to the information of the first communication device counted by the second communication device.

[0196] Optionally, the device inventory apparatus 100 further includes:

[0197] The third sending module is used to send a second command, where the second command is used to instruct the first communication device to reset the historically stored inventory indication information.

[0198] Optionally, the device inventory apparatus 100 further includes:

[0199] The fourth sending module is used to send a third command, where the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0200] Optionally, the time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0201] The equipment inventory device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented by the method embodiment of Figure 7 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0202] As shown in Figure 11, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 110, including a processor 111 and a memory 112. The memory 112 stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor 111. For example, when the communication device 110 is a first communication device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 111, each step of the device inventory method embodiment executed on the first communication device side is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. When the communication device 110 is a second communication device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 111, each step of the device inventory method embodiment executed on the second communication device side is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0203] An embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to send a first command, wherein the first command is configured to instruct an inventory of a first communication device, wherein the first command includes inventory indication information, and wherein the inventory indication information is configured to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory of the first communication device. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the aforementioned second communication device-side method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the aforementioned method embodiment are applicable to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. Specifically, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal that implements an embodiment of the present application.

[0204] The terminal 120 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 121, a network module 122, an audio output unit 123, an input unit 124, a sensor 125, a display unit 126, a user input unit 127, an interface unit 128, a memory 129 and at least some of the components of the processor 1210.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 120 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) to power various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 1210 via a power management system, thereby enabling the power management system to manage charging, discharging, and power consumption. The terminal structure shown in FIG12 does not limit the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or may combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be described in detail here.

[0206] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the input unit 124 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1241 and a microphone 1242, and the graphics processor 1241 processes image data of a still picture or video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 126 may include a display panel 1261, and the display panel 1261 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 127 includes a touch panel 1271 and at least one of other input devices 1272. The touch panel 1271 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 1271 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 1272 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be repeated here.

[0207] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the RF unit 121 can transmit the data to the processor 1210 for processing. In addition, the RF unit 121 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Generally, the RF unit 121 includes but is not limited to an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, etc.

[0208] The memory 129 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 129 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data, wherein the first storage area may store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. In addition, the memory 129 may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or the memory 129 may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 129 in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0209] Processor 1210 may include one or more processing units. Optionally, processor 1210 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 1210.

[0210] The radio frequency unit 121 is configured to send a first command, where the first command is used to instruct an inventory to be performed on the first communication device. The first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

[0211] In an embodiment of the present application, a first command for device inventory is sent, and the first command includes inventory indication information. The first communication device can determine whether to respond to the first command based on the inventory indication information, rather than responding to the first command under all circumstances, thereby avoiding the first communication device from being inventoried multiple times and improving inventory efficiency.

[0212] Optionally, the inventory indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0213] Purpose of inventory;

[0214] Number of inventory counts;

[0215] Take inventory time.

[0216] Optionally, the radio frequency unit 121 is further configured to receive a first response from the first communication device to the first command.

[0217] Optionally, the radio frequency unit 121 is further configured to send first interaction information to a third communication device, where the first interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the second communication device, and the third communication device is a device for performing inventory.

[0218] Optionally, the radio frequency unit 121 is further configured to receive second interaction information sent by a third communication device, where the second interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the third communication device, and the third communication device is a device for performing inventory;

[0219] The processor 1210 is configured to compare the information of the first communication device inventoried by the second communication device with the information of the first communication device inventoried by the third communication device;

[0220] The processor 1210 is further configured to, if there is a duplicate first communication device in the first communication devices counted by the second communication device and the first communication devices counted by the third communication device, delete the information of the duplicate first communication device by the second communication device; and / or add the information of the first communication device that is different from the first communication device counted by the third communication device and the first communication device counted by the second communication device to the information of the first communication device counted by the second communication device.

[0221] Optionally, the radio frequency unit 121 is further configured to send a second command, where the second command is configured to instruct the first communication device to reset historically stored inventory indication information.

[0222] Optionally, the radio frequency unit 121 is further configured to send a third command, where the third command is configured to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0223] Optionally, the time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

[0224] An embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the various processes of the above-mentioned device inventory method embodiment are implemented and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0225] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0226] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned device inventory method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0227] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0228] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned device inventory method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0229] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device can be used to execute the steps of the device inventory method executed by the first communication device side as described above, and the second communication device can be used to execute the steps of the device inventory method executed by the second communication device side as described above.

[0230] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the statement "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0231] Through the description of the above implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of software plus the necessary general hardware platform, and of course can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a computer software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal (which can be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0232] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims, all of which are within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for equipment inventory, include: A first communication device receives a first command, where the first command is used to instruct to perform an inventory on the first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device; The first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The inventory indication information includes at least one of the following: Purpose of inventory; Number of inventory counts; Take inventory time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: include: The first communication device stores inventory indication information; The inventory indication information stored in the first communication device is the inventory indication information sent through the first command, or is the inventory indication information agreed upon by the protocol.

4. The method according to claim 3, in, The first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes: The first communication device compares the inventory indication information with historically stored inventory indication information to obtain a comparison result; The first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the comparison result.

5. The method according to claim 4, in, The inventory indication information includes the purpose of the inventory; The first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the comparison result includes: If the comparison result indicates that the inventory purpose is the same as the stored inventory purpose, determining not to feedback the first command or to feedback not to respond to the current inventory; and / or, If the comparison result indicates that the inventory purpose is different from the stored inventory purpose, it is determined to respond to the first command.

6. The method according to claim 2, in, The inventory purpose includes at least one of the following: inventory quantity, protocol control PC, extended protocol control XPC and inventory electronic product code EPC.

7. The method according to claim 3, in, The first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes: When the stored count times is 0, the first communication device determines not to provide feedback to the first command or to provide feedback that does not respond to the current inventory count.

8. The method according to claim 3, in, After the first communication device determines whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information, the method further includes: If the first communication device determines to respond to the first command, the stored inventory count number is reduced by one.

9. The method according to claim 3, in, The first communication device determining whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information includes: When the current time is within the stored inventory time, the first communication device determines not to provide feedback to the first command or to provide feedback that does not respond to the inventory.

10. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: include: The first communication device receives a second command, where the second command is used to instruct to reset the historically stored inventory indication information; The first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to the second command; or, The first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value after a preset time after receiving the first command: or, If the first communication device does not receive the second command within the first time window or fails to decode the second command, the first communication device resets the historically stored inventory indication information according to a predefined value.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: If the first communication device receives a third command after sending a first response to the first command and before receiving an acknowledgment ACK for the first response, the first communication device enters an inventory silent state, in which the first communication device does not respond to the newly received first command, and the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

12. The method according to claim 11, in, The time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: include: After receiving the confirmation ACK, the first communication device exits the inventory silent state.

14. A method for taking inventory of equipment, include: The second communication device sends a first command, where the first command is used to instruct to perform an inventory on the first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

15. The method according to claim 14, in, The inventory indication information includes at least one of the following: Purpose of inventory; Number of inventory counts; Take inventory time.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: The second communication device receives a first response from the first communication device to the first command.

17. The method according to claim 16, in, After the second communication device receives the first response of the first communication device to the first command, the second communication device further includes: The second communication device sends first interaction information to the third communication device, where the first interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the second communication device, and the third communication device is a device for performing inventory.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: The second communication device receives second interaction information sent by a third communication device, where the second interaction information includes information of the first communication device that has been inventoried by the third communication device, and the third communication device is a device for performing inventory; The second communication device compares the information of the first communication device counted by the second communication device with the information of the first communication device counted by the third communication device; If there is a duplicate first communication device among the first communication devices counted by the second communication device and the first communication devices counted by the third communication device, the second communication device deletes the information of the duplicate first communication device; And / or, information of first communication devices that are different from the first communication devices counted by the third communication device and the first communication devices counted by the second communication device is added to the information of the first communication devices counted by the second communication device.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: The second communication device sends a second command, where the second command is used to instruct the first communication device to reset the historically stored inventory indication information.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: The second communication device sends a third command, where the third command is used to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

21. The method according to claim 20, in, The time slot indicated in the third command for the first communication device is set to a special value to instruct the first communication device to enter an inventory silent state.

22. An equipment inventory device, include: A first receiving module, configured to receive a first command, wherein the first command is used to instruct to perform an inventory on a first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, wherein the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device; A determination module is used to determine whether to respond to the first command according to the inventory indication information.

23. An equipment inventory device, include: The first sending module is used to send a first command, where the first command is used to instruct to perform an inventory on a first communication device, and the first command includes inventory indication information, where the inventory indication information is used to indicate relevant information used when performing an inventory on the first communication device.

24. A communication device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the device inventory method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13 are implemented, or when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the device inventory method as described in any one of claims 14 to 21 are implemented.

25. A readable storage medium storing a program or instruction, wherein the program or instruction, when executed by a processor, implements the device inventory method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or implements the steps of the device inventory method according to any one of claims 14 to 21.